It has been proposed that for ecotourism to be the sustainable response to mass tourism, it should not only support local communities and their environments but also educate visitors. This study aimed to understand visitors' perceptions of personal impacts, including personal learning, in an ecotourism setting and why these impacts differed between visitors. To fully comprehend the nature of personal impacts, I took a primarily qualitative approach, using participant observation and a series of survey questionnaires. This study reveals that the visitor's construction of personal meaning is achieved through the interaction between the visitor's prior knowledge, quality social interaction on the tour and the fulfillment of the desire for an 'authentic' experience. With this finding, I suggest considering learning in an ecotourism setting as personal change and provide practical suggestions for encouraging all visitors to achieve personal understanding. / Master of Science

Thesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The foundation of ecotourism is associated with poverty alleviation all over the world. That is, ecotourism is believed to be significant in income generation, improvement of people’s standards of living, sustainability of the environment, political enablement of local societies and in educational purposes. However, it has been noted that regardless of the significance of ecotourism, poverty remains a major problem across the world. In some developing countries like South Africa and Botswana, among others, ecotourism could account for about 25% of their Gross Domestic Product. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa relies on ecotourism as a source of income, employment creation and for boosting local economy. In light of this, the purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of ecotourism on poverty alleviation in Nyongane Village. The study reviewed both theoretical and empirical literature on the subject. It also adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches in undertaking the study wherein an interview schedule and questionnaires were used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that the Phabeni Gate Nature Reserve turned a blind eye on community participation by using the industry-oriented approach in ecotourism. They also revealed that the community members of Nyongane Village do not have access to resources in the reserve. Majority of the residents from the village argued that there is no communication from the aforementioned Nature Reserve while others argued that they are hardly communicated with. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for the Nature Reserve to provide employment opportunities for most people who are from Nyongane Village. It also recommended the need for the reserve to consider community participation by allowing the community members to provide inputs during decision making processes at least once in 6 months at the reserve. This could be done by hosting meetings attended by the representatives of the reserve and the community members. Lastly, the study concluded that although ecotourism adversely affects poverty alleviation in Nyongane Village, these negative effects, however, could possibly be addressed by implementing the recommendations of this study.

Most rural communities, such as Nsikeni area under the Mabandla Tribal Authority (MTA) in the Eastern Cape (former Transkei), are located in apartheid-created 'homelands'. These rural areas have large human populations that depend on natural resources, but, they do not derive full benefits from natural resource use. This research study examines the socio-economic status and the Nsikeni community people's perceptions on developing the potential for fly fishing under the concept of community-based resource management (CBRM) strategies. The research attempts to assess the Nsikeni community's resource assets in the form of rivers and related infrastructure together with their human resource and to obtain knowledge and perceptions of available potential in relation to fly fishing. Attention is drawn to socio-economic needs which could challenge the sustainability of a community-based project, land use activities and associated impacts for the Ngwagwane River catchment area, and lastly, based on the Nsikeni community's opinion, a proposed model for a community-based strategy. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

The ecotourism industry is experiencing increasing popularity as the demand grows for tourism that is environmentally sensitive, informative, and beneficial for local communities. For over a decade, Lao PDR, an underdeveloped country, has been promoting its 20 National Protected Areas as ecotourism destinations. These ecotourism projects are positioned as tools for protecting natural resources and reducing poverty, and are generating hope for the creation of local sustainable development. At this point in time, however, the Lao government lacks effective strategies for ensuring their long term success. This thesis was designed to address this concern by analysing the potential for one of these projects, Xe Pian ecotourism, to contribute to local sustainable development. The current outcomes of the Xe Pian ecotourism project were analysed and input was sought from all stakeholders concerning ideas for desirable strategies. Kiet Ngong village, located inside the Xe Pian NPA, Lao PDR, was selected for case study. Data was gathered by employing mostly quantitative methods consisting of semi-structured interviews, informal and formal interviews, private walks and observation, and questionnaire surveys. The findings illustrated that ecotourism in Kiet Ngong has impacted local livelihoods and other environmental, economic, social, and cultural factors in both positive and negative ways. However, the positive effects of Xe Pian ecotourism were found to be more significant than the negative effects. Importantly, Kiet Ngong residents expressed optimism about the future of ecotourism and have claimed that any negative consequences cannot discourage their desire for continuing ecotourism development. This research also revealed that the stakeholders involved in the project are able to offer a variety of strategies for resolving problems that have arisen along the way. Results from this study identified three main points that need to be addressed in order to maintain Xe Pian ecotourism, namely the promotion of economic and political empowerment of the local population, the development of external and internal regulations, and the adoption of a community-based ecotourism approach. Further recommendations are offered for the policy planners of both the government and the project‘s administrative bodies, as well as for the residents of Kiet Ngong. These are followed by additional suggestions for further study.

Invertebrates are suffering the greatest species loss in the current biodiversity crisis. These animals perform essential ecosystem functions upon which humanity depends yet they are largely ignored m conservation efforts. The main challenges facing invertebrate conservationists, in terms of raising public awareness, are to change common negative perceptions regarding invertebrates and to apply some form of value to them. Conservation efforts can be improved by raising public awareness of, and appreciation for, invertebrates in the context of ecotourism. Current levels of inclusion of invertebrates in ecotourism activities were gauged, using qualitative research methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The response of tourists to the concept of the inclusion of both western/scientific and indigenous knowledge regarding invertebrates into current and planned ecotourism activities was determined using the quantitative research method of a structured questionnaire. Canvassing of tourists was done at a popular ecotourism destination (Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve) and 121 questionnaires were completed. In addition to tourists the opinions and attitudes of a range of people working in ecotourism and conservation were examined via semi-structured interviews. The respondents were specifically selected according to the positions they held in the ecotourism and conservation field and a total of eight people in management, ten ecotourism guides and seven ecotourism trainers were interviewed. The findings revealed that there is currently negligible information regarding invertebrates in ecotourism activities. There was an overwhelmingly positive response from tourists, with 95% indicating that they would like to see information regarding invertebrates included in ecotourism activities. Ecotourism service providers, such as tour guides and those in conservation management also indicated a positive attitude toward the concept. There is thus potential to increase levels of information regarding invertebrates in ecotourism and it is recommended that ecotourism include a focus on invertebrates. Recommendations on how to address the lack of invertebrate information in ecotourism are provided and examples of the types of invertebrates to include in specific ecotourism activities are given. Including a focus on invertebrates in ecotourism will serve the multiple purposes of placing value on invertebrates; raising public awareness and hence the conservation status of invertebrates, and finally will increase the scope of ecotourism. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the world. It represents 10% of the global GDP and generates one in 11 jobs. Nature tourism has become increasingly popular in the last few decades and it is predicted to keep increasing. Wildlife watching has initially been welcomed by conservation and environmental organisations as a conservation tool. However, we now know that these activities can have severe consequences for the environment and for the local communities. In this thesis, I have provided advice on the governance approaches and management tools that can be used to facilitate sustainable outcomes of nature tourism socioecological systems. First, I used semi-quantitative models to investigate nature tourism systems' dynamics under perturbations and the properties that confer resilience to the system, as well as leading to sustainable outcomes. Then, after validating the use of social media data to quantify nature tourism activities in Scotland, I used it to identify the major drivers of intensity of nature tourism on a national scale. I then obtained a global picture of nature tourism and its role in helping countries to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the end, I designed an individual-based model to test how different tourists' phenotypes influence the sustainability of a nature tourism destination and whether any governance regime could be effective in maintaining sustainable socioeconomic and ecological dynamics. This work will be useful to inform management of local, national and global scale governance of nature tourism. Caution is needed when promoting the expansion of a country's tourism sector before determining how to manage it sustainably. Scotland has already developed some of the governance institutions that could contribute to sustainable governance of nature tourism. What is needed now is designing flexible rules and institutions that will be able to adapt to future changes.

There is concern that canyoning, which has grown in popularity in recent years, may not be environmentally sustainable within the Blue Mountains National Park. Sociomanagerial research was undertaken, using an initial focus group discussion and subsequent surveys. Canyoners were found to participate in their sport predominantly in small groups in relatively few canyons, were generally experienced, did not feel crowded by other people encountered, and displayed little evidence of displacement behaviour from popular locations. No specific biophysical impacts were perceived as serious. Canyoners generally supported management action to control visitation to canyons if overuse could be demonstrated, with education and/or restrictive actions as preferred management strategies. Biophysical research was undertaken to test a potential rapid assessment bioindicator for measuring and monitoring potential visitor impacts. Macroinvertebrate data were analysed and no significant difference in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition or water quality was found between high and low visitation streams. Macroinvertebrate fauna were found to be highly resilient to trampling. Current visitation levels within the canyons appeared to be within ecologiocally sustainable levels. The implications of the findings are discussed for visitor impact management policymaking. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Cultural geography has become increasingly interested in the ways in which nature is socially constructed within society as other. In more closely examining the broad category of ‘nature’, the field of animal geography has come about in an attempt to rethink the place of animals in society. The Cartesian culture/nature binary is seen to be one reason for the mistreatment of animals in society. The thesis investigates to what extent the binary is challenged or reinforced through the act of visiting animals within an ecotourism context. To this end the thesis looks at the ways in which marine animals are produced for and consumed by the tourism industry in Australia. Set within a backdrop of the early collection and display of marine animals as a form of imperial expansion, the thesis travels across a spectrum of marine animal tourism experience, from a point of extreme mediation to one of minimum mediation. (For complete abstract open document)

Cultural geography has become increasingly interested in the ways in which nature is socially constructed within society as other. In more closely examining the broad category of ‘nature’, the field of animal geography has come about in an attempt to rethink the place of animals in society. The Cartesian culture/nature binary is seen to be one reason for the mistreatment of animals in society. The thesis investigates to what extent the binary is challenged or reinforced through the act of visiting animals within an ecotourism context. To this end the thesis looks at the ways in which marine animals are produced for and consumed by the tourism industry in Australia. Set within a backdrop of the early collection and display of marine animals as a form of imperial expansion, the thesis travels across a spectrum of marine animal tourism experience, from a point of extreme mediation to one of minimum mediation. (For complete abstract open document)

<p>Tourism is a giant and growing industry that has big adverse effects on people and the environment. To counter this, different ways of reforming tourism have been tested, one of these is ecotourism. But what is ecotourism, and is it really so different in the end from regular mass tourism? This thesis will discuss the issue of ecotourism from a post-modern ecofeminist standpoint on a general, national, and local level. More specifically, it will be applied to whale shark ecotourism in Donso, the Philippinesl. I found that ecotourism shared the “soft” values with ecofeminism, such as love, care, and friendship, at least in theory. However, this changes as ecotourism is implemented in a society where other “hard” and mechanistic values, such as profit rules on the basis of power.</p>